Telecommunications Chain e-mail claims numbers will be released to telemarketers.

Verizon Wireless is hoping to kill a cellular telemarketing hoax that has some people believing that their cell phone number will be released to telemarketing directories.While some of the major wireless providers have said they would release a 411 directory of customers’ cell phone numbers in 2006, Verizon has no plans to share its customers’ phone numbers with anyone, and is not participating in a plan to develop a wireless number directory service, according to company spokesperson J. Abra Degbor.

One version of the popular e-mail hoax reads: “JUST A REMINDER . . . In a few weeks, cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sale calls. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS . . . To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888/382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years. PASS THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS . . .”

Another version claims:

“The Federal Trade Commission has set up a “do not call” list. It is called a cell phone registry. To be included on the “do not call” list, you must call from the number you wish to register.”

However, the FTC does not have a national cell-phone registry, and FCC regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers.

Verizon Wireless has promised not to publish or make available its 42 million customers’ cell phone numbers for a directory, the company said.

Cell-phone users can add their numbers to the do not call registry – the same registry consumers use to register their land lines – either online at www.donotcall.gov or by calling toll-free 1-888-382-1222 from the telephone number they wish to register.

Registrations become effective within 31 days of signing up and are active for five years. There is no cut-off date or deadline for registrations.